On This Day: President Barack Obama hugs Vicki Kennedy as he touches the coffin of her husband, Senator Edward Kennedy during his funeral at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston, Aug. 29, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

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Today (all times Eastern)

11:30: Press Briefing by Josh Earnest

12:30: President Obama departs the White House

1:55: Arrives Westchester County, New York

2:40: Attends a DNC fundraiser, private residence, New Rochelle, New York

For good or ill, President Obama sometimes offers candid, shorthand assessments without much regard for how they’ll be perceived by the political world – or how easily the comments might be taken out of context. From a distance, I get the sense he just doesn’t care what offhand phrase might send the Beltway into a tizzy and generate a half-dozen Politico items. After nearly six years on the job, Obama just seems to have bigger things on his mind.

But those of us who regularly swim in these waters – and who’ve internalized Republican talking points to the point at which we can visualize Fox News segments before they even air – tend to see the pointless uproars coming.

Alarm is growing in Kiev and the West over Russia’s role in eastern Ukraine. But what is Russian President Vladimir Putin trying to achieve?

The indications are clear that Russia is being more confident and less discreet about the presence of its troops and equipment in eastern Ukraine.

As well as sightings of Russian tanks, and reports of Russian paratroopers not only captured by Ukraine but also killed “while carrying out their duties”, statements by separatist leaders have changed too.

After months of calling for assistance from Russia, separatist leaders now say that they can “do without outside help”. All this could indicate that Russian planners felt the military situation of Russian-backed separatists was severe enough to need more direct assistance.

Equally, it could be that Russia is simply less concerned at this stage about discretion and deniability.

Was I the last person on planet earth to see this splendiferous suit? I was? Okay. And am I the last person on earth to learn that the media didn’t listen to a single word he said, they were too busy commenting on the suit? I am? Okay……

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TPM: Obama Did A Huge Thing For Workers, Now States Should Do The Same

This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer as well as a chance for us to reflect on the achievements of American workers. This year, workers across the country have a lot to celebrate, thanks in part to a series of executive orders signed by President Obama, including the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order, which cracks down on federal contractors who violate labor laws.

In a significant step towards greater accountability for private contractors, corporations will be required to report their labor violations in updates to government agencies every six months, and contractors will also be responsible for making sure any subcontractors are playing by the rules as well. Additionally, the report directs contractors not to require employees to enter into pre-dispute arbitration agreements for sexual assault and harassment crimes, as well as violations of the Civil Rights Act.

Most importantly, any contractor that’s found to violate labor laws will be restricted from competing for certain contracts, and government agencies will have additional guidance on how to take labor violations into account in their process of awarding contacts. This will help keep taxpayer dollars out of the coffers of companies that are guilty of repeated violations that endanger the lives of workers and cheat employees out of pay.

I went out yesterday for a minute for a worky thing and didn’t get home until after one in the morning – does this phenomenon happen anyone else on a regular basis?

Any way, wasn’t ready for sleep, so began watching PBS’s Emmett Till documentary that I’d recorded a while ago. There were so many details about the case that I’d forgotten, and I’d forgotten too what an extraordinary woman Mamie Till was.

The Emmett Till and Michael Brown cases were, of course, hugely different, but they had the same outcome: ie murdered black boys. And, I fear, Michael Brown’s family will receive as much justice: none.

What struck me last night, though, was the part about the locals raising money – a lot of money – for Emmett’s murderers, and I thought of the people donating huge money to Darren Wilson.

Not content with cheerleading the killers of black boys, they are intent on helping them profit from their crimes too. For reasons of pure, unadulterated hate.

President Barack Obama’s lawyers are finishing months of work on a legal rationale for unilateral action on immigration that will have to withstand Republican assaults in the courts and during the congressional election campaign.

With a self-imposed deadline three weeks away, Obama has kept his deliberations closely held, even among White House advisers, while requesting information from staff, according to an administration official. The legal review of his authority hasn’t been presented to Obama yet, the official said.

No announcement is likely until after Obama returns from a trip next week to Estonia and Wales, according to the official…

I’m seriously late posting this after a crazy week or two – apologies Tally, and thank you!

A Word From Tally

Why Health Care Matters, and why the US is still vulnerable

The US is the only country on Earth where it’s legal to make a profit on someone’s illness. I understand why; it’s a giant conflict of interest. But because of that profit, the system is still out of reach for many, especially in red states with asshole GOP governors who refused the Federal Medicaid expansion funds.

So…… what if something like the West Africa Ebola outbreak happens here?

If EVERYONE doesn’t have affordable access to healthcare, how do you contain such an outbreak?

As awesome as the ACA is, Obamacare doesn’t cover all our citizens yet, and we must clear the way for everyone in this country to have access to healthcare, yes, even illegal aliens and people visiting here from other countries.

Viruses don’t care where you were born, how much money you make, what color your skin is, what sex you are, what religion (if any) you practice, what your sexual orientation is, who you voted for, what flavor of ice cream you prefer, or where you live.

They’re equal opportunity killers, and you aren’t magically protected from getting a virus from someone who is uninsured, even if you are.

The US is a sitting duck when it comes to this, and healthcare access should be a National Security issue. We’re the country who’s population never take vacation, and suck it up when we’re sick by going to work anyway, less we appear weak. By doing so, we’re spreading our germs everywhere, allowing the virus to spread far and wide, mutating in the process.

It would be easy to lay us low between our work-at-all-costs attitude, and lack of access to affordable care.

There’s a reason other countries have Nationalized health care systems, and don’t drive their citizens into financial ruin if they get sick. It’s better, and healthier when people just go to the doctor when they’re sick, then go home and get better.

It’s only in the US where working yourself to death is a badge of honor, and denying citizens health care is acceptable to some.

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On This Day

The white draped casket of Senator Edward Kennedy sits before (from left) the Senator’s son Edward Kennedy Jr., his widow Vicki Kennedy, former President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former president George W. Bush, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joseph Biden and his wife Jill Biden, and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former President Jimmy Carter during funeral services at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Boston, Mass. on Aug. 29, 2009. (Photo by Pete Souza)

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President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wait to be introduced at Xavier University in New Orleans, La., before delivering remarks marking the five-year anniversary of hurricane Katrina, Aug. 29, 2010 (Photo by Pete Souza)

First Lady Michelle Obama shakes hands with spectators at Xavier University on August 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet members of Maude Smith’s family at her home in New Orleans, La., Aug. 29, 2010. The President and First Lady were visiting New Orleans to mark the five-year anniversary of hurricane Katrina (Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama walks with daughter Malia Obama on August 29, 2010 upon their return to the White House. The First Family completed their 10-day vacation on Martha’s Vineyard and spent August 29, in New Orleans, Louisiana

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First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a “Pop the Question” question and answer segment during a taping of the “Rachael Ray Show” at Chelsea Television Studios in New York, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2012.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Mehmet Oz jump rope during a taping of the “Dr. Oz Show,” at Rockefeller Plaza in New York, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2012.

President Obama reacts after recognizing actress Sissy Spacek in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 29, 2012. The President happened upon Spacek while greeting people following a stop in the town (Photo by Pete Souza)

Lovely R&S. I’ll have to read all the TOD posts in detail when I get home from work. Congratulations to Allison on her top-of-the-podium win and to Chips for the most recent milestone of millions more viewers. Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone!

POTUS will be returning to the WH tonight after the fundraisers. He was suppose to remain in Westchester, but I’m reading the plans have change. I doubt if he will be attending Kass and Wagner’s wedding tomorrow. I haven’t heard about FLOTUS if her plans have change.

Yardarm would be working overtime distributing naughty mats if PBO wore one — can you imagine how good he would look — crisp, yet summer-sweltering casual.

Guess we can dream for next summer, since it’s back to the button-down business (of facing obstruction) after Labor Day. Though I think PBO may really ramp up campaigning for 2014 candidates next month.

just something i have noticed. the middle east countries like jordan and saudi arabia etc. just last month, they were quick to speak up about gaza and now with all the stuff going on with isis in iraq and syria i am still waiting for a peep from them. is it because there is not israel or US to blame for this atrocities committed by isis. their silence and inaction speak volumes to me.

yes, but they are not doing anything to fight it. no military aid or anything….something has to be done its horrible to watch and i am upset that the neighboring countries are not doing more…even if its just aid for the people affected. all i am saying.

We should be careful not to homogenize the various Arab powers. Qatar, for example, actively supports Islamic fundamentalist groups around the world and houses several top Al Qaeda members who live freely within its borders. Pretty much the only reasons the US allies with them is because of oil and their bargaining power (as seen with Bowe Bergdahl and the recent journalist freed).

The monarchies of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, however, are at odds with many fundamentalist groups who see them as Western puppets. Al Qaeda’s actually hit the Saudis several times. The UAE right now is working with Egypt against Islamist forces in Libya, putting them at odds with Qatar.

Israel today is actually probably more aligned with the Saudis and Egypt than the likes of Qatar, given that they both have Iran as a common enemy. The Arab powers may pay lip service to the Palestinians, but in reality they also have responsibility for their suffering.

Good, Good Morning TOD.
Chips is here….. 🙂 Welcome back. Thanks for the R&S post……awesome.
Congrats Allison on your Au ⭐
Mediaite has not to my knowledge ever posted a WH YouTube presser notice.
I went to the WH.gov/live and all I have gotten today was 404 error signs. I am hoping that this Youtube Link works.

Morning TOD. Listening to PBO’s pc from yesterday. Important info, no doubt. But, his words were wasted on the audience in the room, hopefully not for any who are serious thinkers, like we here. About the suit- no other president has pulled off the look like PBO did. This is what all the noise is about. Tan against the bronze skin, long and lanky physique, contrast of tan, grey, and white with his mixed grey hair. It’s all cause for envy, pure and simple. Which shows just how shallow many on twitter and the msm are when it comes to the intelligence of this man of color. He is easily dismissed because it makes them uncomfortable. JMHO. Have a great day.

That comment by Earnest puts the WHPC squarely in their place. He let them know…..cleverly…..that their comments were truly stupid. Not that they will understand that…….but most of us will. Wasting their time on that!!!!

Yes, the remarks are pure envy. As ed said up above, it’s the suit against the beautiful skin and the gray tie and hair, and the magnificent physique supporting it all. Each press member looks very pudgy and old-fashioned, too. He is fashion forward. I loved that suit/look when he wore it to the wedding, and when he wore it this Easter. They are not hurting him. Reagan wore tan suits a lot, but who cared? They didn’t look so suave as they do on PBO.

Major asking about Words and Language mattering…….?????…..Invasion or Not…..
Funny the WHPC never checks themselves on making SURE that when POTUS or his Team speaks on his behalf that their Language and words are requiring of same treatment?

Just got off the phone answering a call back survey by a robot caller about my satisfaction level resolving an issue with Verizon. My issue was resolved by a very helpful customer service representative so I was happy to do the survey no matter that the robot made it awkward. I answered Yes and ten on the first two questions concerning the representative. When asked if I would recommend Verizon to others I said yes. Then they wanted to know my ranking from zero to ten with ten being the highest. I said eight and the robot did not understand asking me the ranking again. I repeated eight and the robot said, ” I am sorry you did not understand. Goodbye.” I thought and that is why you did not get a ten!

Good afternoon, TOD. Just breezing through; last banking day of the month — TG! Need to process this morning’s mail, then out the door I go. Hope there are not lots of folks at the nail salon; I need a “pampered princess” moment…

“According to official Russian statistics alone, during the first and second Chechen wars, close to 10,000 Russian soldiers were killed. Given the long-standing Russian habit of hiding real losses in all wars, we can predict that the actual losses were somewhat higher. The scale of the possible war with Ukraine is also somewhat larger than in Chechnya. Will the Russian dictator be able to keep the love of his subjects if coffins from the Donbas start arriving at a steady stream and all this happens as the living standards keep falling because of increasing sanctions? Perhaps Putin himself is not sure he has the answer.”

This article is very thought provoking. I can see these trends in my college classes. Where is used to be that the males led questions and conversations and inquiry, now not nearly so much. The white male seems to be interested in sports and his comfort, not in striving. The women are motivated, and the minority young men are too.

We recently needed a veterinary surgeon for our precious dog. The surgeon was a woman…..she was fabulous. We talked with her about the male/female ration in vet school. She said when she was in classes around 1997, the class was 33% women. Now the classes are 80% women. A young woman just joined our vet practice, one who had worked at the clinic for 12 years. I am afraid men are stuck in a 19th century mindset, and are struggling to keep up with the evolution of the world.

The first point the article makes of 7, is that women look long range at consequences, but men look short range for immediate financial gain. Think about that…….

Did anyone see Alison for Kentucky on Lawrence last night?
I thought she was awful.
Rather than engaging with LOD at all and answering even one question Alison delivered pre-packaged paragraphs of no-doubt poll-tested positions.

Robotic and cold—-maybe she was nervous—- not appealing.

Of course, since she is a (D) I hope she wins.
After last night I am not certain that winning is her goal. “Waiting for Hillary” placeholder or something, who knows?

completely agree vicki. i was very surprised. she would have presented much better had she answered the questions – which were pretty softball – as opposed to the over rehearsed talking points. i understand now why she does so few interviews!

Reminds me a little of Alan Grayson. When he was first on the scene, I thought he was a big truth talker. But his robotic delivery (and everything that followed) lost me. Nobody needs another pre-programmed person in Congress, afraid to actually BE a leader, but I’ll take any of them as long as they are Democrats and can win. It’s a numbers game at their level. Luckily, until early 2017, we have two great leaders – our President and Vice President – in D.C., and some fine members of Congress, like Speaker-for-Life Pelosi!

I don’t understand why there is a toss up between Burke and Walker. Frankly, I don’t understand why he was re-elected during the re-call.
Some voters in New Jersey and Wisconsin seem to be glutton for bad policies.

Exactly Linda. Perhaps Borjer and Keller need to brush up on their international geography, civics, etc..

The US population is >300Million compared to any of the European countries (range from ~6M-82M) listed in that graphic that Nena posted. So the per capita rate of ISIS joinees is relatively low for the US, and by FAR the lowest of all these Western countries.

The myth of the authoritarian, macho president is very difficult to get rid of.

Sigh.

President Obama is analytical, careful, and thinks long term. I listened carefully yesterday. This is a president who UNDERSTANDS the problem, and is TAKING TIME to build alliances and partnerships, in order to solve the problem IN THE LONG TERM.

The pundits want the simplistic stuff. They don’t get it. They never have.

President Obama has only one limit: he’s so brilliant, logical, honest, nuanced, I think he sometimes makes a little projection and thinks the media “gets it” when he’s explaining things. He may be caught by surprise by how stupid the media can be. I mean… he knows the media IS stupid. Still, I think he sometimes underestimates the LEVEL of stupidity they can reach. Yesterday, when he explained the comprehensive, long term strategy was in the PROCESS of being constructed CAREFULLY, I’m not sure the president thought the reaction would be so “knee-jerking”.

The culture at the Pentagon is that no one, on his or her own, speaks AGAINST the Commander-in-Chief, civilian or military (insubordination). There are a bunch of “formers” who serve as a good example of that.

The “leak” could be true. But, as usual, delivered without context. If the President “hesitated”, it surely was because the chances of success were poor and the risk for the Seals Team were much too great. If the President had ordered a rescue mission on July 4th and it had ended in disaster, with other americans killed or captured, Harnden would have been the first to scream at the President for taking unnecessary risks.

I’m so tired of those people who just try to put a negative spin on everything.

They are not predicting as big a crash as here in 2008, but problems for politically connection Russians companies and people that have been hit by sanctions already. President Obama’s strategy works. And POTUS was so smart about how he went about the sanctions. I remember him talking about how they were careful about the global impact because there is a global economy. It was targeted and precise to put pressure on Putin’s cronies and Russian banks, corps that supported him.

….The bank recommends reducing Russian investments because “markets may no longer assume a quick and easy resolution of the conflict and ‘worse before better’ seems a likely sequence.”

Financials are “particularly badly exposed” by sanctions and the broader economic situation, he wrote. The best defensive plays are exporters with no “unwanted political affiliations” as they will benefit from a weaker ruble, he said….